One of the reasons that a number of people are uncomfortable with the dentist is that they feel anxious about the concept of some stranger with a medical license fumbling around in their mouths with metal tools. Indeed, it’s actually shocking how few people, out of all of the anxious dental patients in the world, actually ask questions about what’s specifically wrong with their teeth, and what specifically the dentist is doing to help. Instead, most of us merely lay back and accept that there are problems, and that they are being fixed. When put this way, it actually seems a bit silly to consider dentistry without at least some understanding of the science behind tooth problems and solutions. You can do a bit of research on how dentists are able to help you at websites like topdentists.com. However, for a bit of understanding on what’s behind some common issues, read on.

One thing that many patients have experienced, but few have asked questions about, is something called referred pain. Essentially, this is when the pain you feel is coming from an area that has nothing to do with the cause of the pain. This is quite common with toothaches and cavities, because teeth have nerves inside them, and these nerves can become infected when teeth begin to decay. Essentially, this can trick your nerves into sending the “wrong” signals to your brain, meaning that you may feel pain from a different part of your mouth than that in which the infected tooth sits. This is why, sometimes, a dentist will focus on what seems like the complete wrong area!

Another common thing that you may have heard about, but never asked about, is the apparent correlation between weight gain and gum disease. Indeed, gum disease has been linked to everything from obesity to heart problems, to the point that we know that many health problems will negatively affect our gums. Specifically, it appears that weight gain leads to far more inflammation in the body, which in turn can directly harm the gums and cause a number of oral diseases and problems.

You may also have wondered at one time or another how much mouthwash can actually benefit you, in terms of keeping your mouth clean and healthy. Some people rely on mouthwash merely for a quick route to good breath, while others use it essentially as a substitute for brushing. Ultimately, neither type of user has a correct understanding of the function of mouthwash. While it is not merely a tool for breath, it is also not a suitable substitute for brushing, thought it will help to keep your teeth white and clean. Generally, common fluoride mouthwash can fight cavities and prevent tooth decay, while keeping your teeth white and strengthening tooth enamel.